Ethics: A Very Short Introduction

Simon Blackburn

Description

Our self-image as moral, well-behaved creatures is dogged by scepticism, relativism, hypocrisy, and nihilism, by the fear that in a Godless world science has unmasked us as creatures fated by our genes to be selfish and tribalistic, or competitive and aggressive. In this 'sparklingly clear' (Guardian) introduction to ethics Simon Blackburn tackles the major moral questions surrounding birth, death, happiness, desire and freedom, showing us how we should think about the meaning of life, and how we should mistrust the soundbite-sized absolutes that often dominate moral debates.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Ethics: A Very Short Introduction

Simon Blackburn

Table of Contents

Preface List of Illustrations IntroductionSeven Threats to Ethics 1: The Threat of the Death of God 2: The Threat of Relativism 3: The Threat of Egoism 4: The Threat from Evolutionary Theory 5: The Threat of Determinism and Futility 6: The Threat of Unreasonable Demands 7: The Threat of False ConsciousnessSome Ethical Ideas 8: Birth 9: Death 10: Desire and the Meaning of Life 11: Pleasure 12: The Greatest Happiness of the Greatest Number 13: Freedom from the Bad 14: Freedom and Paternalism 15: Rights and Natural RightsFoundations? 16: Reasons and Foundations 17: Living Well and Doing Good 18: The Categorical Imperative 19: Contracts and Discourse 20: The Common Point of View 21: Confidence Restored Further Reading Index

Ethics: A Very Short Introduction

Simon Blackburn

Author Information

Ethics: A Very Short Introduction

Simon Blackburn

Reviews and Awards

Review from previous edition Simon Blackburn's short book takes the big moral questions head on and does so brilliantly. . . a witty, vivid writer with an enviable popular touch . . . this is a wonderfully enlightening book. - Ben Rogers, Sunday Telegraph,

full of good sense - Sunday Times

But for anyone wondering how big questions have bothered us over the years, this witty, rigorous book fills in the gaps. - PLAY, The Times

always lively and never simplistic - Waterstone's Quarterly January 2002